Easy Stovetop Homemade Applesauce
Make naturally sweet, flavorful homemade applesauce on the stovetop. This simple recipe is quick, requires few ingredients, and results in a perfect snack or side dish.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Total Time: 35 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 lbs apples (such as Gala, Fuji, or Honeycrisp)
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)
Instructions
- Wash the apples. You may peel them if you prefer a very smooth texture, but peeling is optional for this recipe. Core the apples and cut them into 1-inch chunks.
- Place the apple chunks, water, cinnamon, and nutmeg into a large pot or Dutch oven. Add lemon juice now if you are using it.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for 15 to 25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- The apples are done when they are very tender and easily mashable with a fork.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Use an immersion blender or potato masher to reach your desired consistency (smooth or chunky).
- Taste the applesauce. If you need more sweetness, add a small amount of sugar or maple syrup, stirring until dissolved.
- Serve the homemade applesauce warm or chill it completely before serving as a healthy snack or side dish.
Notes
- For a slow cooker version, combine ingredients and cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- This applesauce stores well in the refrigerator for up to one week or can be frozen for up to three months.
- Use a mix of sweet and tart apples for the best flavor balance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 cup
- Calories: 105
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 2mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg